HEALTH INFORMATION

Covers procedure to open arteries narrowed by atherosclerosis. Mentions it may be done before angioplasty and what to expect after. Links to an illustration of the procedure. Info on side effects and how well it works compared to angioplasty.

Covers procedure to open arteries narrowed by atherosclerosis. Mentions it may be done before angioplasty and what to expect after. Links to an illustration of the procedure. Info on side effects and how well it works compared to angioplasty.

Atherectomy for Coronary Artery Disease

Treatment Overview

Atherectomy involves techniques similar to
those used for
angioplasty. The difference is that atherectomy uses special tools to remove the plaque buildup from the artery wall.

Atherectomy is not done for most people who have angioplasty. But in certain cases, it might help your doctor open up a narrowed artery.

What To Expect After Treatment

After an atherectomy, you will be
moved to a recovery room or to the coronary care unit. Your heart rate, pulse,
and blood pressure will be closely monitored, and the catheter insertion site
will be checked for bleeding. To prevent bleeding, you may have a large
bandage or a compression device on the catheter insertion site.
You will likely stay one night in the hospital.

Do not do strenuous exercise and do not lift anything heavy until your doctor says it is okay. This may be for a day or two. You may resume exercise and driving after several days.

After atherectomy you will most likely take medicine, such as aspirin and another antiplatelet such as clopidogrel, to help prevent the formation of blood clots.

After your procedure, you might attend a
cardiac rehabilitation program. In cardiac rehab, a
team of health professionals provides education and support to help you
recover and make new, healthy habits,
such as eating right and getting more exercise. Making these changes is just as
important as getting treatment in keeping your heart healthy and your arteries
open.

Why It Is Done

Atherectomy is a procedure used to
open up narrowed coronary arteries to increase blood flow. It might be done if an artery has hard plaque with a lot of calcium. Atherectomy may make it easier for your doctor to place a stent in the artery.1

How Well It Works

Atherectomy can work as well as angioplasty to widen narrowed arteries. Atherectomy might be done along with stenting. This can help keep the artery from narrowing again.2

Risks

Risks of atherectomy may include:

Heart attack during the procedure (small
percentage).

Closing off of the artery, which requires emergency
bypass surgery.

Bleeding.

Heart rhythm problems.

Another risk is that small pieces of plaque that are cut
off during atherectomy can lodge in smaller arteries and damage heart tissue.
Some devices can filter or capture these small
pieces and remove them from the blood.

The risk for complications
during atherectomy can be reduced if it is done by a cardiologist who is
experienced with the procedure.

What To Think About

Talk to your doctor if you are worried about the risks of having atherectomy.

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